LyrArc Article Gist
This earthquake in Sichuan may have changed China forever. It will no longer be the same country. Its not just how the government responded with premier Wen Biao taking a prominent role and receiving good marks for this, the government had it responded in the way it did in previous earthquake in 1976 with hundreds of thousands killed, would have found itself isolated by public criticism and mistrust. Consider- much of the force for open discussion and sharing of information comes from young people who are most of the 228 million internet users in China, who also use cellphones and blogs. Its not just criticism its been used for civic action. Chinese users of Twitter, a group instant messaging system, was quick to disseminate information about the earthquake as soon as it happened. Groups of university students in Chengdu set up a website to collect tips from front line reporters in the field. One report drew attention to 9000 people trapped in one village. What experts are saying- Demand for information has grown exponentially in China in the last ten years. Its not just about human rights or democracy. Its about education, safety, land rights or an accountable government. (a researcher at China Media Project at Hong Kong University). iternet users in China